Early European Power Rankings: Arsenal and Barcelona Threaten Status Quo

Earlier this week we brought you an early look at some Premier League team rankings, and now we're diving in headfirst to bring you a full European perspective.

It's a measure of where the teams are, right now, in terms of pre-season preparation and transfer moves in the summer market. Basic strength of the squad and managerial comfort plays a part in the ordering too.

It's not a prediction of how they'll finish come the 2014-15 season's end; it's a primer to get you excited for another epic European campaign.

Honourable Mentions

20. Monaco

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The Monaco project currently lays flat on its back, bereft of the ability to keep its star players around and failing to identify suitable replacements in the market.

Losing James Rodriguez is a hammer blow, but the club seem content even to sell the likes of Emmanuel Riviere if the price is right. Questions remain over Radamel Falcao's physical condition and commitment to the project, and their Russian benefactor has gone mysteriously quiet too.

19. FC Porto

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FC Porto spent the entirety of last season in Benfica's shadow, but they're moving through the gears in this transfer window; while their rivals are losing players en masse, the Dragoes are gaining them.

Right now, FCP look the strongest team in the Liga Sagres and seem unlikely to lose any more of their key outlets, with Fernando Reges the only significant departure.

18. Marseille

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Marcelo Bielsa.

Marseille are back in contention at the top of the Ligue 1 table thanks to the appointment of one rather exciting coach, and the Argentine tactician's fluid 3-3-1-3 formation is already in place at the Stade Velodrome.

14. Napoli

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Rafa Benitez will reload and have another crack at overhauling the Serie A status quo, but just as Juventus weaken themselves and look ripe for overtaking, Roma have surged and look set to take their place.

There has been absolutely no transfer activity at the club so far, but that's not a big concern, as the Partenopei return a stronger outfit thanks to the January business they did this year.

10. Manchester United

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Louis van Gaal's Manchester United revolution started with a 7-0 victory over L.A. Galaxy, with even Ashley Young putting in a solid showing.

The Dutchman confirmed to the Daily Mail's Ian Ladyman after the game that he would continue with the 3-4-3/3-5-2 formation for the upcoming season, as he lacks balance in his squad and has too many attacking players.

9. Borussia Dortmund

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Borussia Dortmund have done their business quickly and are busy gearing up for the new season stylistically.

An inevitable stylistic change will occur as the club depart from Robert Lewandowski's complete play and switch to the more limited style of Ciro Immobile and Adrian Ramos, but how will it affect Jurgen Klopp's plan?

This is a team in transition, and it'll be interesting to see how they carve out their chances.

6. Arsenal

Arsene Wenger is assembling a deep squad packed with talent and tactical versatility, and he's found his key impact player, Alexis Sanchez, to feed off last summer's star signing, Mesut Ozil.

Jack Wilshere must be looking at the midfield squad list and worrying about whether he's going to get a game at this rate, and every member of the team back in pre-season training looks fresh and ready to go.

5. Manchester City

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Manuel Pellegrini's cleverness in the transfer market is shining through again, with Bacary Sagna, Willy Caballero and Fernando Reges all signing before pre-season began.

With Chelsea and Arsenal visibly strengthening around them, the Citizens know retaining the Premier League title will be a battle this season, so the manager's decision to bulk up at right-back and in midfield is wise.

4. Chelsea

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Chelsea are our highest-ranked Premier League team, and they leapfrog Atletico Madrid on the basis that they have stolen two of their best players this summer.

Jose Mourinho must have taken a particular old saying to heart after losing to Diego Simeone's side in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals last season, because he will enter the new campaign with Diego Costa and Filipe Luis in tow.

1. Real Madrid

Florentino Perez has awarded Carlo Ancelotti a fresh set of midfielders worth over €100 million to take on the new season, and the Italian must once again find a way to knit his star-filled group into a viable team.